Jamie Matson had once enjoyed a wonderful life working alongside her best friend, organising adventures for single-parent families, and her son Bo’s artistic flair a source of pride rather than concern.
She hadn’t been prepared to lose her business, her home, and her friend. Not all in one dreadful year. And now she finds herself reeling - rebuilding her world, with Bo at its heart - swallowing her pride and asking for help.
Jamie certainly hadn’t expected to find such hope and camaraderie in the queue at her local Food Bank - thrown together with an unlikely and colourful group of people - all of them struggling to get by, yet still determined to reclaim their lost careers and agency over their lives. Even if just choosing their own groceries again is a goal they can all share.
As their friendships flourish, they quickly find it’s easier to be objective about each other than about themselves, and decide that - when you’re all out of options - it’s okay to bend the rules a little and create your own.
A story of friendship, possibilities, and hope, that maybe tomorrow will be brighter than today...
Today I am really pleased to be taking part in Book and the City's blog tour to celebrate the publication of Penny Parkes latest novel, Maybe Tomorrow.
I first became aware of Penny Parke's great storytelling as I visited The Practice in Beckerford and really enjoyed the Larkford series of books set in a small doctor's practice, where a cast of doctors and their patients went through everyday life. However, following that series, this is Penny's second standalone novel and I really think her writing is just getting better and better.
Maybe Tomorrow is a novel, set in current times, where many are having to close their small businesses and face the struggle of increasing rent and food prices and just getting by with a boring, minimum wage job, while trying to make ends meet as life throws obstacles in the way.
Meet Jamie, a single parent to her son, Bo. Jamie was a woman who loved life, enjoyed being self employed but unfortunately she has found herself in a damp flat, which is causing her son to have regular nightly hospital visits, which in turn make it difficult for her to work in the upmarket supermarket, where it is too expensive for her to shop herself, and each month struggles to pay her bills. That is before you meet the creepy landlord. This all culminates in her loosing her job and being faced with an impossible rent increase. Regular trips to the local foodbank provide food, warmth and increasingly a circle of friends who all look out for each other. A chance spotting of a property for rent in the local estate agents window leads to Jamie making a phone call to enquire, which literally changes her life for the better.
I really enjoyed Maybe Tomorrow. It is a story that is relevant to so many of us following the pandemic. I really enjoyed Penny's story telling and the cast of characters were a perfect mix of people, who could be found in any neighbourhood in the UK today. It shines a light on foodbanks, highlighting that they are more than just a building to get free food - there are communities being built in them, they can be a one stop shop for getting help and advice.
The book gives everyone hope, that their are people around who are willing to help others, that help is available to all at this time and most importantly that it is ok to ask for help, to visit foodbanks and to offer to support others during this time. As a well known supermarket says.'Every little helps' and it is ok to ask for help and that this help may come from the most unusual places.
The book also imparts the important message about giving back, once you are back on your feet, repay the generosities of others and offer support and advice to others in similar situations.
As mentioned above, the book has many themes and messages, but they are all dealt with in a sympathetic and non-condescending manner. Maybe Tomorrow is a lovely story that can be read in one sitting, on a sun drenched sun lounger or a wet summer's afternoon. It another brilliant read by Penny Parkes and I recommend it to all.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster, Books and the City and Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
